The Kleenex® Guide to Colds & Flu

A sore throat, runny nose, watery eyes, fever, aches and pains – we have all woken up with some or all of these ailments before. They can be symptoms of the common cold or the less rare, but more severe flu. Colds and flus are the main cause of sick days and the most frequent reason for a visit to the doctor. We’ve put together a guide to help you to understand colds and flu, but remember to always consult your health professional if you have any questions or concerns about your symptoms.

Facts you need to know

Although they’re usually more common in winter, colds have very little to do with cold weather. Colds are caused by viruses. There are over 200 viruses that cause the common cold and at least one cold virus is in circulation at any given time. The flu is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs – but its effects can be felt through the whole body. The flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. The symptoms of flu and colds are similar, but flu symptoms come on suddenly, whereas cold symptoms take longer to develop.

Cold Symptoms

Often one of the first cold symptoms to appear is an itchy nose. This is because the nose is usually the entry point for the virus. Cold symptoms become noticeable after one to four days, although sometimes it can take up to a week for the infection to take hold. The most common cold symptoms are:

Cold Treatments

Always consult your health professional if you have questions about your symptoms and how to treat them. We’ve put together a list of steps that might help to soothe cold symptoms:

Cold Prevention

Young children catch more colds than adults, as they often forget to use a tissue and wash their hands after sneezing and coughing – this can increase the rate of spread of germs. We can all try to avoid catching and spreading cold viruses by being very conscious of hygiene. The simple 3-step Sneezesafe method is key:

1. Catch it: catch your sneeze or cough in a tissue

2. Bin it: immediately put the tissue in a rubbish bin

3. Wash it: wash hands straight away to help kill the germs

Kleenex Pocket Packs are the perfect size for pockets, bags and desk drawers so you can always have a tissue on hand. 

Flu Symptoms

People often have a combination of several flu symptoms. Flu sufferers typically complain of feeling very unwell and low on energy. The result can be that they have to spend several days resting in bed.

The flu develops suddenly – usually one or two days after contact with the virus. Symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose
• Aching muscles and joints
• Headache
• Chills
• Tiredness/exhaustion
• General feeling of being unwell
• Weakness
• Lack of appetite
• Runny or blocked nose - more common in children than adults

Symptoms can persist anywhere from three days to several weeks. It’s a good idea to keep a record of your temperature, fluid intake, and the length and severity of your symptoms – this will help when discussing your symptoms with your health professional.

Did you know?

Flu Treatments

Always consult your health professional if you have questions about your symptoms and how to treat them.

The flu can survive for up to 48 hours outside of the body – i.e. on surfaces and objects – so hygiene plays a crucial part in reducing the risk of reinfection and the spread of the flu virus.

• Set up a ‘sick room’ and make it out of bounds to others in the home.
• Wash your hands with soap regularly for 20 seconds, and always before preparing and eating food.
• Clean surfaces and objects such as telephones, doorknobs, and bathroom taps with disinfectant.
• Always cough or sneeze into a tissue, and always put the tissue into the bin immediately afterwards.
• When out and about ensure you have Kleenex Pocket Pack tissues  within reach to catch coughs and sneezes.
• Always wash your hands after sneezing, coughing and nose-blowing. When out and about use Kleenex Anti-Bacterial Wet Wipes to kill 99.9% of germs.
• Keep the home well-ventilated, even in winter. Viruses thrive in dry conditions.

Always have a tissue on hand to catch coughs and sneezes. Kleenex Special Care Tissues, available in Aloe Vera and Eucalyptus, are designed specifically to help deal with the symptoms of colds and flu. When you are out and about, ensure you have Kleenex Pocket Pack tissues with you to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze and cough to limit the spread of the germs to others.

Flu Prevention

While considered a debilitating, yet manageable disease, the flu can cause more serious health problems for some people, especially if they have other conditions such as asthma, or their fever and breathing troubles worsen or persist.

Consider immunisation** – ask your GP about getting a flu shot next time you have a check-up. It’s an easy way to protect yourself from flu during the winter months.

Stay hydrated and eat a well-balanced diet – maintaining good general health is often considered your best line of defence when it comes to cold and flu prevention. A strong immune system will mean that when you do become exposed to germs, your body will be better able to fight the flu virus.

Get enough sleep and exercise regularly – this will help minimise stress and boost your immune system even further, enhancing your resistance to cold and flu.

Avoid contact (direct or through shared surfaces) with infected people and maintain excellent hygiene. Good hygiene includes washing your hands, coughing and sneezing into tissues, and regularly cleaning surfaces.

 **https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/influenza